Paula Gomez Pinzon, LCCE

Childbirth education for 18 months, other kinds of training programs for adults for 11 years

What was your journey to a career in childbirth education?

I have 10+ years of experience in adult learning and training management in corporate environments. After working in different international companies, I realized that all this experience could be helpful for something more important: the miracle of giving birth. That is why I'm currently fully dedicated to my career as childbirth educator.

I started my Lamaze Certification Process in October, 2015 and I got my LCCE credential on June 1, 2016. In addition I’m working to get my international certification as Doula by Dona International. I had the great opportunity of attending a seminar in Mexico in March of 2016 by Penny Simkin.

Current Job: Hospital Esperanza Lopez Mateos – Public Health Institution (January 2016 – Currently). Childbirth Educator & Professional Birth Assistant (Doula): where I provide physical and emotional support to mothers in labor. Also I design and deliver childbirth education classes to prepare mothers on pregnancy, birthing and early parenting processes.

Why did you choose to become a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator?

After working at different companies as training and change management expert, I decided to re-focus my professional career to something more important: The miracle of life. I decided to take advantage of my previous experience designing and delivering courses to adults.

Another trigger for me was a personal change. I'm from Colombia and I moved to Mexico because my husband is from here. It was the perfect time to start with my new professional goal not only because of the time but also because in Mexico we have better access to Lamaze Seminars and other childbirth education courses than in Colombia.

How, where, and what do you teach?

Currently I'm working as volunteer in a Public Hospital where I support low-income mothers during their pregnancy and labor. On the other hand, I also work for a private center with other mothers who are lucky to pay for the childbirth education and doula services.

Thanks to these experiences, I have had the opportunity to live "the both sides of the story": Mothers that live childbirth experiences at respectful environments and Mothers under very hard conditions, even obstetric violence.

What or who influences your teaching?

I had the opportunity to meet Penny Simkin when I attended her seminar in Mexico City. So I could say that she is one of my most important influences. In addition to her, the mothers that I teach (mainly at public hospital) provides to me the inspiration that i need to do my job very well .

What is your goal as an educator?

In Mexico, there is a lot of work to do regarding the Human Rights in Childbirth. Even though we are helping a little part of the community, we could be doing more. Our mission at volunteers at the public hospital, is to create the best possible conditions to protect the mothers of negative childbirth experiences. We would love to help all the mothers but at least we are setting a precedent to replicate this Doula & Childbirth Educators voluntary program at other hospitals in our city. I know that there are other similar programs at some hospitals at Mexico City, but in Guadalajara we are just one program.

How do you use Lamaze Resources to support you as an educator?

For me, the six practices for a healthy birth are very important. All my classes are based on it..

How could you suggest other members receive maximum value from Lamaze?

I would recommend to my collegues to be pending on every resource and opportunity that Lamaze offers to us such as documents, readings, events, access to share our stories, etc.

When you're not teaching, what do you enjoy doing?

I practice Yoga (I discovered it because Moms always want pre-natal Yoga). I enjoy my free time with my husband going to the cinema, eating and taking care of our garden, etc. Finally, I have a friend from Latvia (she is also living in Mexico because of her husband) and we created the group "Guadalajara Moms" for those expat women that as us are foreigners in Mexico. We are close to opening a Childbirth Education course in English and focused on foreign pregnant women.